An exquisite silver coffeepot in the shape of a locomotive is on its way to Cardiff in the care of the young silversmith, Hugh Kellow.But before he can deliver it a gruesome murder is committed.

Inspector Colbeck is confronted all too soon with complications and with no shortage of suspects and he must sift through layers of deceit to find the killer.Commissioned by wealthy ironmaster Clifford Tomkins for his acquisitive wife, who wants it to be the envy of all her friends and enemies, the coffeepot is stolen.When a gruesome murder is committed at the Railway Hotel, Winifred Tomkins is distraught.

Caring little for the dead silversmith, all she can think about is her missing treasure.Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming of the Detective Department are summoned to Wales from London by telegraph and they are soon confronted by some additional crimes.The situation is complicated by the arrival of a famous theatre company and by revelations of illicit liaisons among members of the local high society.

Colbeck has to find the killer before it is too late.